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And other travel news you may have missed.
This week in travel, we have several stories that may have flown under your radar. Among them: EasyJet airline left more than 100 passengers in Milan due to long queues at passport control; Miami’s iconic 23-storey Mandarin Oriental was demolished on Sunday; Southwest Airline has a new rule change and this time it’s restricting portable chargers on flights; and tourists in Florida face felony charges after they were caught with a dead alligator on the roof of their car.
Dive into these and more as we examine the latest in travel news.
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Miami’s Mandarin Oriental Has Been Demolished
On Sunday, the iconic Mandarin Oriental on Brickell Key in Miami was demolished in a large, controlled explosion. The 23-storey hotel was gone in less than 20 seconds, leaving behind clouds of dust. People cheered and recorded videos as the 25-year-old hotel disappeared from Miami’s skyline, making way for The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami. By 2030, the address will have two new towers with luxury residences and an upscale hotel.
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Southwest Has a New Rule for Portable Chargers
Southwest Airlines is restricting portable chargers and power banks on its flights. From April 20, passengers will only be allowed to take one portable charger with them. The airline also won’t allow passengers to store the chargers in the overhead cabin (they need to be in the bag under the seat in front of them) or to charge them at the seat power outlet. They can still charge their phones using regular chargers.
This move comes after many airlines have reported instances of power banks catching fire mid-flight due to the lithium battery. Other airlines such as Korean Air, Thai Airways, and Emirates have banned their use on board.
Related: Southwest Is Fat Shaming, Travelers Say
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EasyJet Leaves 122 Passengers Behind
British low-cost airline EasyJet left more than 100 passengers at Milan airport after they were unable to clear immigration queues in time. The flight was heading to Manchester on Sunday, days after the new border rules became fully operational in the EU. Only 34 people made it on the flight, while 122 others had to wait at the airport and find other flights back home.
Passengers were stuck in hours-long queues at passport control due to additional measures implemented by European countries; many reported falling ill. EasyJet acknowledged that people were left behind, but shifted the blame to the authorities, saying that the airline has been doing everything possible to minimize the impact. “We continue to urge border authorities to ensure they make full and effective use of the permitted flexibilities for as long as needed while the European Entry / Exit System is implemented, to avoid these unacceptable border delays for our customers.”
The new entry/exit system (EES) was introduced in phases last year. On April 10, it was fully implemented in all Schengen countries to track travelers entering and leaving the region. Along with a passport scan, now non-EU travelers need to register their fingerprints and photos.
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Tourists Face Felony Charges After Driving With Dead Alligator on Car Roof
Authorities arrested two tourists in Florida after they were found driving with a dead alligator strapped to the roof of their car. New York’s Anthony Buhl and Tennessee’s Mark Chadwick drove through Celebration and St. Cloud, and were stopped and arrested in Melbourne. They told the authorities that they found the animal as roadkill and they were transporting it to get it taxidermied. They also revealed that they had been warned by multiple people that possession of an alligator was illegal, and they had covered it with a white sheet to keep it concealed.
Both were charged with illegal killing, possessing or capturing alligators, but have been released on bond.
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Airport Staff Suffers Injuries After Falling From Plane
An airport worker fell from the back of the plane at Manchester Airport last week when the rear stairs were removed. The aircraft engineer fell about 12 feet from a Jet2 plane on the tarmac and suffered multiple injuries, including fractures. He was taken to a local hospital, and his injuries are not life-threatening.
The low-cost airline Jet2 confirmed the incident and said that it has launched a full investigation.